Jill's Paint

Hidden off the main thoroughfare of Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village and calling themselves "your new neighborhood paint and painting supply store", Jill's Paint is a dealer of fine paints and even finer service. After hearing so many positive remarks about Jill's and their line of premium and environmentally-friendly paint brands, and with a much needed living room wall and trim paint refresh project in mind, we decided to head eastward over the 5 freeway and see for ourselves what all the brouhaha was all about.

Since our visit in 2006, Jill's has undergone renovation and expansion. Check out what's new after the jump!

Greeted outside by a 1954 3100 Series Chevrolet Stepside pick-up, we immediately knew this wasn't just a plain ole purveyor of paints.

Inside, the rhythmic shaking of paint cans and the raucous laughter of a spirited staff greeted us. With a recently completed interior expansion, and a handsome exterior entrance, Jill's Paints feels both small enough to feel like you'll be readily helped at a moment's notice, yet expansive enough to meet all the needs of almost any painting project, big or small. And what is that at the back of the store? A wine bar, of course! Owner and wine collector Peggy McCloud occasionally treats customers to a happy hour of sorts around 4 o ' clock, so if youd like your syrah accompanied with that Palladian Blue, plan your visit accordingly.

How about the paint? After perusing the aisles and choosing out our wall and trim colours, a goateed, powerfully built gentleman mixed our selections, and even pointed us toward more prudent choices in supplies after surveying our choices, saving us a few hard earned dollars, and earning our undying customer loyalty. Up to this point, we've been using the perfectly acceptable line of Behr paints from our local Home Depot throughout our home, a choice born of convenience and cost. But for just a little more, the noticeably superior grade Benjamin Moore paints can be had. Upon application, it became obvious even our medium-grade Benjamin Moore paint excelled in both coverage and vibrancy; where Behr paints would demand 2-3 applications for sufficient coverage, the Benjamin Moore would easily cover in a single application. Consider us schooled.

Update: Since Gregory last visited Jill's Paint in 2006, they've taken over the space next door and expanded. Now offering an extensive line of green paint and products (everything from Mystic Paint to Yolo Colorhouse). We were excited by biodegradable paint trays and drop cloths and Anna Sova's Food Paint (for those needing zero VOCs). Need green building supplies for your next kitchen remodel? Natalie Freidberg, EcoNatalie, Inc. (formerly of All Shades of Green) has now set up shop to guide you through the process. You can also stop by on any given Saturday where a color specialist will help guide you through the paint picking process (free of charge). And don't worry, the wine bar is still in back--only bigger and better to accommodate your entire painting crew.